Chapter 10
Aditi's Perspective
The school day stretched endlessly, filled with rehearsals and practice. We had been at it since morning, fine-tuning every step and gesture. The constant pressure to get everything perfect weighed heavily on us all, but the worst part was the unrelenting teasing from Kabir. Standing on the podium next to him, I could barely concentrate as he kept making light-hearted jabs."Hey Frosty," he said with a smirk, "you're starting to look like you're ready to hibernate. Are you sure you're not part bear?"
I shot him a half-hearted glare, trying not to let his antics get to me. "Very funny, Kabir. I'm just focused, that's all."
He chuckled, clearly enjoying my annoyance. "Focus is good. Just don't turn into a statue up here."
The constant banter was both irritating and oddly comforting. Kabir's teasing was his way of breaking the monotony, even if it did distract me from the task at hand. His presence was a strange mix of annoyance and familiarity, a constant in the whirlwind of preparations.
Recess finally arrived, a brief respite from the relentless practice. As we gathered around, Reena ma'am made an important announcement. We were all to wear white T-shirt(for boys), kurti(for girls) with jeans for Founders Day. The outfits were simple yet elegant, a stark contrast to the more elaborate attire of others. The news was met with a mix of reactions—some groaned, while others seemed relieved by the change.
I found a quiet corner of the canteen, away from the clamor of my classmates. It was nice to have a moment of peace, even if it was just for a few minutes. I sat down with my lunch, the familiar routine of eating alone offering a strange kind of solace amidst the chaos.
As I ate, I watched the others in the canteen. Some were still discussing the outfit announcement, while others were simply chatting and laughing. The noise and chatter were a distant hum in the background, my focus entirely on the simple act of eating.
Despite the hectic day and the teasing from Kabir, there was a part of me that was looking forward to Founders Day. The white kurta and jeans were a change from the usual, and it felt like a small, fresh start amidst all the stress. I was ready to see how everything would come together, and maybe, just maybe, enjoy a brief respite from the relentless practice.
For now, though, I was content to enjoy the quiet, to savor these moments of solitude before diving back into the whirlwind of preparations.
Kabir's perspective
The cacophony of the canteen was a welcome change from the monotony of rehearsals. After what felt like an eternity of standing on the podium and enduring endless practice, the chance to sit down and have a meal with Raghav and the rest of the class was a relief. Raghav, ever the instigator, was animatedly discussing the latest episode of some popular show, while I dug into my lunch with half-hearted enthusiasm.
"So, Kabir, have you seen the new season yet?" Raghav asked, leaning over with a conspiratorial grin.
I shook my head, grinning back. "No, I haven't had the chance. But I heard it's pretty wild."
"Wild doesn't even begin to cover it," Raghav said, eyes widening. "You've got to catch up. And speaking of wild, we've got a game going on over there."
I glanced around, noticing a group of our classmates gathered around a table, clearly engrossed in a game of Truth or Dare. The excitement was palpable, laughter and playful shouts filling the air.
Raghav, ever the instigator, nudged me. "Hey, let's join them. It's gonna be fun, and it looks like everyone's having a blast."
Before I could respond, Raghav was already up, making his way over to the group. I followed, more out of curiosity than anything else. As we approached, I spotted Aditi sitting off to the side, eating her lunch alone. The sight of her, away from the chaos, caught my attention.
Raghav, never one to miss an opportunity, called out to her. "Aditi! Come join us. We're playing Truth or Dare, and it's going to be a riot!"
Aditi looked up, her expression a mix of surprise and hesitation. For a moment, I thought she might decline, preferring her quiet corner over the chaos of the game. But then she smiled, standing up and walking over to the table.
"Alright, alright," she said, joining us with a hint of reluctance. "But don't expect me to go easy on you all."
Raghav grinned widely. "That's the spirit! Let's get this game started!"
Priya, who was in the middle of a dare, was instructed to shout her crush's name across the canteen. She didn't hesitate. "Kabir!" she announced loudly.
A few heads turned in our direction, and I felt my face heat up. Laughter erupted around us, and I tried to brush it off with a forced chuckle. Raghav shot me a sympathetic look, trying not to laugh too hard.
The game continued, and the energy at the table shifted quickly. Someone turned to Aditi, who was sitting nearby, and asked, "Aditi, are you single? Have you ever had a boyfriend?"
Aditi, who had been quietly eating her lunch, paused and then replied with a calm demeanor, "Yes, I've had a boyfriend before."
The room fell into a surprised hush. The revelation clearly caught everyone off guard. I saw Aditi's cheeks flush slightly, and she glanced around, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden attention.
Before anyone could press further, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. The group slowly broke up, and I saw Aditi gathering her things, preparing to head back to the auditorium. I caught her eye briefly, and she offered a small, almost embarrassed smile before walking towards the exit.
Raghav clapped me on the back with a grin. "Looks like Aditi's got a bit of a history we didn't know about. Quite the revelation."
I shrugged, trying to brush off the lingering embarrassment from Priya's shout. "Yeah, seems like it. Let's head back before we're late."
As I entered the auditorium, I noticed Aditi waiting at the podium, her focus already shifting back to the upcoming rehearsal. I took my place beside her, trying to put the day's revelations out of my mind and focus on the tasks ahead.
The auditorium's energy was different now—more focused, more intense. We both knew how crucial this final rehearsal was, and there was no room for distractions. I glanced at Aditi, who was clearly deep in concentration, and I found myself wondering about the things she had shared.
As the final bell rang and everyone started to disperse, I found myself lingering behind the rest of the group, my thoughts still occupied by Aditi's unexpected revelation during the Truth or Dare game. The shock on everyone's faces when she mentioned having a boyfriend before—it was something I hadn't seen coming. Aditi had always been the focused, no-nonsense type, and to hear that she had a past that none of us knew about... It was surprising, to say the least.
Walking back to the auditorium with Aditi felt different now. The easygoing teasing and casual banter we usually shared were replaced with an unspoken tension. I could tell that she wasn't in the mood to continue any light-hearted jokes, so I opted to approach the topic cautiously.
We entered the dimly lit auditorium, the air thick with anticipation for the final rehearsal. Aditi immediately walked up to the podium, setting down her belongings and preparing to dive back into work. I followed her, determined to satisfy my curiosity but also wary of pushing too hard.
As I took my place next to her, I leaned in slightly, keeping my voice low. "So, you mentioned you had a boyfriend before... When did that start?"
Aditi glanced at me, her expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought she might just brush me off, but then she sighed softly, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. "It started in 9th grade,"
she said, her tone carefully neutral. "We were classmates, and it just kind of... happened."
Classmates? That piece of information stuck in my mind like a thorn. I couldn't help but wonder who it was. We'd all been in the same class for years, but I couldn't recall anyone who had seemed particularly close to Aditi back then. My mind raced, going through the names of our classmates. Could it have been Rishabh? Or maybe Aman? But no, they had never shown any signs of being particularly close to her. It was strange to think that someone had been a part of her life in such a significant way, and yet none of us had a clue.
"9th grade, huh? That's pretty young. Were you two serious about it?"
She hesitated before responding. "At the time, I thought we were. It seemed like the right thing to do. My parents started dating in 9th grade, so I figured it was okay for me too."
Her words hung in the air between us, and I could sense there was more to the story. But before I could ask more, she continued, her voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "Looking back, I realize I was just trying to fit into a mold. I wanted to replicate what my parents had, but it wasn't the same for me. We were too young, too na?ve."
I could tell this was a sensitive topic for her, but my curiosity got the better of me. "When did it end?"
Aditi's expression closed off slightly at my question, her eyes shifting away from mine. She seemed to be struggling with how to respond, and I could see a flicker of pain cross her face before she quickly masked it. "It... It's complicated. We both felt the strain, but I'm not sure if it was truly mutual. Things just fell apart."
Her voice was quieter now, almost as if she didn't want to be heard. I realized I had touched a nerve, and before I could backtrack or apologize, the moment was interrupted by the distant echo of the school bell reverberating through the empty corridors.
We started walking back toward the stage, the heavy silence between us speaking volumes. As we approached the steps leading to the stage, I glanced over at Aditi and noticed her discreetly wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye. My chest tightened at the sight, guilt gnawing at me for having pushed her too far.
In that brief moment, I wished I could say something—anything—to ease the sadness that clearly lingered just below the surface. But the words caught in my throat, and all I managed was a quiet, "I'm sorry, Aditi. I didn't mean to bring up something painful."
Aditi paused and looked at me, then, to my surprise, she smirked. "Wow, Kabir, an apology? I didn't expect that from you. Should I be worried?"
I couldn't help but chuckle, relieved that she was lightening the mood. "I guess I have my moments."
"Don't get too soft on me now," she teased, her usual confidence creeping back into her tone. "I might start to think you actually have a heart under all that sarcasm."
"Hey, don't go spreading rumors," I shot back, glad that the tension between us was easing. "But seriously, I didn't mean to pry. It's just... surprising, you know? I never would've guessed."
"Yeah, well, there's a lot you don't know about me, Kabir," she replied, her voice softening slightly. "And that's probably for the best."
We both fell into a comfortable silence as we stepped onto the stage, the weight of our conversation still hanging in the air. There was a mutual understanding now—a shared acknowledgment of the things left unsaid.
As we prepared for the final run-through, I couldn't help but glance at Aditi out of the corner of my eye. There was more to her than I had ever realized, and it made me see her in a new light. The determination and focus she always displayed now seemed like a shield—a way to protect herself from the world's prying eyes.
The rest of the rehearsal passed in a blur, my mind still preoccupied with our conversation. Aditi carried on as if nothing had happened, her focus unwavering. But I couldn't shake the image of that tear, the brief glimpse of vulnerability that had caught me off guard.
By the time we wrapped up, the day had grown long, the sun dipping low in the sky as the final bell rang.
I walked out of the auditorium with Raghav by my side. My mind was still buzzing with everything Aditi had said. The fact that she had a boyfriend back in 9th grade had caught me completely off guard. It wasn't just surprising—it was baffling. I mean, we'd all been in the same
class, and I couldn't recall Aditi ever being particularly close to anyone.
Raghav was talking animatedly about something, probably the latest cricket match, but I wasn't really paying attention. My thoughts were still stuck on Aditi. The way she'd talked about her past, the emotion in her voice—it was something I couldn't shake off. And the fact that she'd said her boyfriend had been a classmate... well, that just made things even more confusing.
As we reached the bike stand, I slowed down and glanced over at Raghav. Who could have been her ex? Was he still in our class, or did he change schools? Was he in the commerce section? Maybe he was one of those biology nerds—or could he be an arts student? The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed that I had no idea.
Still, the curiosity was eating me up inside. "Raghav," I began, trying to keep my tone casual, "Aditi ne kaha uska boyfriend 9th mein tha. Any idea who it could've been?"
Raghav, who was about to put on his helmet, froze mid-action and turned to look at me with raised eyebrows. "Aditi ka boyfriend? 9th mein?" He blinked at me, processing my question. "Abe, tu kya bol raha hai? Wo jo padhai ke alawa kuch sochti hi nahi thi, hai aur rahegi, wo 9th class mein gulcharre uda rahi thi? Matlab jab Sheena ka boyfriend 9th class mein pakda gaya tha, tab ma'am ne sabko kaha ki Aditi jaise bano. Ab samajh aaya, usse chup chup kar pyaar karne ki inspiration leni thi na ki pyaar na karne ki?"
I couldn't help but laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all. Raghav was right—Aditi was the epitome of focus and dedication. The idea of her sneaking around with a boyfriend while the rest of us were getting scolded for even talking about crushes seemed impossible. But that just made her revelation all the more intriguing.
"Haan, yaar, it sounds crazy," I admitted, shaking my head. "Lekin usne aise hi nahi bola. There was something real in her voice, Raghav. I don't know... maybe we've all underestimated her."Raghav's eyes widened, and a sly grin spread across his face. "Aye haaye! Pehle topper ke liye feelings, fir use underestimate karna, upar se tu use samajh bhi nahi paaya? Kya haal bana rakha hai apna, Kabir? Kya chal raha hai yeh sab?"
I rolled my eyes, trying to brush off his teasing. "Arre, aisa kuch nahi hai, yaar. It's just that... you know, she's not what we thought. There's more to her."
"Aur wo 'more' tu samajhne ke chakkar mein laga hai?" Raghav couldn't stop grinning. "Bhai, topper se expect kiya tha ki wo sab kuch batati rahegi? Ye topper log sabse zyada chhupa rustam hote hain. Aur tu, Mr. Kabir, jo apni feelings tak chupata hai, ab uski raazdariyon pe research kar raha hai? Wah!"
I sighed, knowing Raghav wasn't going to let this go easily. "Yaar, itna complicated nahi hai jitna tu bana raha hai. Bas curiosity hai, itni saal baad pata chala toh thoda shock laga."
"Curiosity, haan?" Raghav leaned in, waggling his eyebrows. "Ya kuch aur bhi hai? Tu toh pehle se hi uske aas-paas mandrate rehta tha. Aur ab jab pata chala ki uske bhi secrets hain, tu aur bhi interested ho gaya? Matlab, ye toh epic love story vibes de raha hai, Kabir."
I groaned, knowing that Raghav was having way too much fun with this. "Bro, it's not like that. Bas... samajhne ki koshish kar raha hoon."
Raghav chuckled, shaking his head. "Samajh raha hoon, samajh raha hoon. Par bas ye yaad rakhna—ye topper log hamesha se surprises dene mein expert hote hain. Abhi toh bas ek boyfriend ka pata chala hai. Aage aage dekho, aur kya kya nikalta hai."
But my mind was already somewhere else, thinking about how this little piece of gossip could easily spiral out of control. The last thing Aditi needed was for everyone to start speculating or spreading rumors about her past. I felt a knot of protectiveness tighten in my chest, and I turned to Raghav with a more serious tone.
"Raghav, ek baat bolu? Jo kuch bhi tune suna, yahin khatam ho jaye. Don't let any rubbish rumors start spreading about her, samjha? She doesn't deserve that crap."
Raghav looked at me, his grin fading a little as he saw the seriousness in my expression. "Abe, relax. Itna possessive mat ban. I was just messing around. Maine kisiko kuch nahi bolna. Aditi ki reputation pe main bhi kabhi daag nahi lagne dunga."
"Good," I muttered, still feeling the tension in my chest. "Bas, I don't want anything getting out of hand. She's already dealing with enough."
Raghav nodded, slipping on his helmet with a more subdued smile. "Theek hai, bro. Tension mat le. Waise bhi, us topper ko underestimate karna hum sabne hi kiya hai, par ab tujhe uske liye possessive hote dekhna... woh naya hai."
I shook my head, trying to dismiss the conversation, but the protectiveness I felt for Aditi was
still lingering. "Yaar, bas... samajh le. Ab chalein?"
"Chalein," Raghav agreed, starting his bike with a loud rev.
[Please vote this is my first story and i just want to say that please provide suggestions and give guidance too idk if you like this story and just keep commenting it makes me feel good and it motivates me to write next chapters thanks much ]